From Father Steven - January 26, 2025

Father Steven Clemence • January 24, 2025

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Please see the information below about the Jubilee Year 2025 which officially opened on December 24, 2024, with the rite of Opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter by the Holy Father, who then presided over the celebration of the Night Mass of the Lord's Birth inside the Basilica. The year will end in Rome on January 6, 2026. Archbishop Richard Henning officially opened the Jubilee Year in Boston on December 29, 2024 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. The year in Boston will end on December 28, 2025. Our parish has been selected as a place of Pilgrimage for this Jubilee Year! We have a lot of exciting things planned so please stay tuned.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

What Is the Jubilee Year and How Can We Embrace Its Graces? Every so often, the Catholic Church invites us to celebrate a special period of grace and renewal called a Jubilee Year. This tradition, deeply rooted in Scripture, is a time of spiritual growth, mercy, and renewal, offering us a chance to draw closer to God and one another. But what exactly is a Jubilee Year, and how can we participate in its blessings?

 

The idea of a Jubilee comes from the Old Testament. In the Book of Leviticus (25:8-13), God instructed the Israelites to observe a Jubilee every 50 years. During this time, debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and land was restored to its original owners. It was a time of liberation, justice, and renewal—a way for God’s people to start fresh, trusting in His providence. The Church has adopted this concept in her own way. The first Christian Jubilee was proclaimed in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII, and since then, the Church has periodically declared Jubilee Years, sometimes every 25 years or for special occasions. The most recent Jubilee was in 2015-2016, called the Jubilee of Mercy by Pope Francis.

 

A Jubilee Year is meant to help us experience God’s boundless mercy and love. It often includes:

 

• Opportunities for reconciliation: Special emphasis is placed on the Sacrament of Confession, where we can encounter God’s forgiveness in a profound way.

• Holy Doors: During a Jubilee, certain churches (often cathedrals or basilicas) have Holy Doors that are opened for the faithful. Walking through these doors is a symbolic act of leaving sin behind and entering into a new life of grace. (This year the Pope designated Holy Doors only in Rome. However the bishops have chosen parishes and shrines to be places of pilgrimage where pilgrims can receive the same blessings/indulgences).

• Indulgences: The Church offers indulgences during a Jubilee Year, which are special graces that remove the temporal punishment due to sin. These graces can also be offered for loved ones who have passed away.

 

The Jubilee Year isn’t just a historical or theological concept—it’s a real opportunity for each of us to encounter God in a deeper way. Here are a few ways we can take advantage of the graces offered during a Jubilee Year:

 

1. Seek Reconciliation: Make time to go to Confession. This sacrament is one of the greatest gifts of the Church, allowing us to start fresh with a clean heart and renewed spirit.

2. Visit a Pilgrimage Site: If a church in our area has a designated a Pilgrimage site (like ours and others), go there on a pilgrimage. Reflect on this as an act of spiritual renewal and commitment to living in God’s grace.

3. Deepen Your Prayer Life: A Jubilee is a time to reconnect with God through prayer. Whether it’s attending daily Mass, praying the rosary, or spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, these practices help us grow in holiness.

4. Perform Works of Mercy: Use this time to care for others, especially those in need. This can include visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, comforting the sorrowful, or simply offering kindness to those around you.

5. Offer Indulgences for Loved Ones: Pray for the souls in purgatory and offer indulgences for them. This act of charity connects us with the communion of saints and reminds us of our shared journey to heaven.

 

A Jubilee Year is an open invitation from God to experience His mercy in a deeper way. It’s like a spiritual reset button, a chance to leave behind the burdens of sin, forgive others, and live in greater harmony with God’s will. As we embrace the Jubilee, let us remember the words of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). May this special time be one of renewal for our parish, our families, and our own hearts. Let’s take full advantage of this holy time and draw closer to the One who loves us more than we can imagine.

 

 

From Father Steven - November 15, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • November 12, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, As we approach Thanksgiving, it is more important than ever to be aware of the graces that God has given us and how much we give back. By this, I refer to everything: our lives, time, talents, and treasure. Before we speak about giving, let us reflect on receiving. What do we have that has not been given to us? When we are born, we literally have nothing of our own. Everything is given to us, namely, love, care, clothing, food, shelter, etc. Maybe we have not received what we wanted, or even what we should have received, but rather what was possible. Our parents may not have been the best parents, but they gave their best to us, according to their capacity. Analogously, we can also say that God did not always give us what we wanted, but rather what was necessary for us to discover Him. Even in times of lacking or precariousness, God was always there to help us. Throughout our lives, there have always been people next to us who gave their best. Some have even given us the clothes off their backs. Whether we were aware of it or even acknowledged it, there has been a lot of support that has helped us become who we are. This weekend's Gospel invites us to reflect on the parable of the talents. Not all received the same amount, but each received according to their capacity. God has called us to a special mission which, among the 8 billion people in the world, only we can fulfill. Therefore, it is important to discern, to "investigate" according to God's will, what that call is. Certainly, it is based on the love of God and neighbor, as we recently heard at Mass. The harder question is: How can I love? To love God means, first and foremost, to be grateful for what He has given us, for the many opportunities, forgiveness, and graces that He has bestowed upon us. Therefore, as we pray at every Mass, "it is truly right and just, our duty and salvation, always and everywhere to give thanks" to God. The Mass itself is the greatest act of thanksgiving that we can offer to God. Then, once our hearts are full of grace, we can go out and share those graces with others. Not all of us have received the same amount or the same kind of graces. Each of us has our own special gifts, even if they have not yet been discovered. Therefore, we need to pray and reflect, both individually and collectively, on what God is calling us to do. We may say that we are already doing something, but are we called to do more or even to change what we are doing? Soon, we will have different opportunities to serve and to give. Technically, we already have opportunities to give to different needs. At each exit of the church, we have the poor box, which helps St. Vincent de Paul assist those in need. Recently, we held a drive to benefit Birthright. There is also First Concern Pregnancy Help, which needs our support to continue its service. I would also like to announce that the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, which formed the three of us priests and where our seminarians are currently in formation, is in serious need of financial assistance. The seminary lives entirely on donations from people. It is also building a larger chapel, which is in dire need of financial support. Moreover, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is known as Giving Tuesday, an initiative that encourages people to help others financially. Some companies even match your donations. Therefore, we should take advantage of these opportunities to do good and share the blessings that God has given us. Lastly, I would like to point out that at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24th, we will have a special Thanksgiving prayer service. Our music director, Gabriella, is helping prepare a special moment to praise God through music and prayers. Finally, on Black Friday, we have made a change here in the parish: it will be Adoration Friday. Instead of making it a day to go out looking for special savings, we are called to look for the One who saves us, which is the best bargain that exists. Please join us! God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven- November 8, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • November 6, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Last week we were reminded that our call is towards Holiness. This week, in case it was not clear enough, the liturgy will point out that our lives were made for the Kingdom of Heaven. However, God needs our internal disposition, our desire, acceptance, and readiness to enter this Kingdom. We live in a world full of distractions, which each day they are more appealing. Whether TV shows, youtube videos, social media, our lives are more and more are behind a screen. There are numerous psychologists alerting to the danger that simple tasks are no longer enough to make a person happy because of the overdose of dopamine. The human body is not used to the amount of stimulation as given by the electronics (screen). Then, simple tasks, such as praying, can become boring, unpleasing, lacking the necessary stimulus. How then are we going to be ready for the Kingdom of God if we spend a good amount scrolling through the phone or channels? Human interaction in New England is already limited. After Covid, it became almost nonexistent. Nowadays, we limit our conversations to emojis, or if you come out of the house and see another human being, a simple nod or a half smile. Gone are the days that people talk to each other. Then, let’s begin a new culture, as Pope St. John Paul II would often exhort the youth. Pope Francis in a World Youth Day called those in attendance to dictate their own lives, instead of following what the world tells them to do. As St. Teresa of Calcutta says, we cannot do great things, but small things with great love.” Another element present, which we don't often speak about, is the adversary whose mission is to condemn us. Since the day he opposed God and his loving plan of redemption of man, he seeks to destroy the image of God, which is us. He speaks to us through thoughts (temptations). He can throw darts of false desires into our hearts. It is important to understand that these inclinations are not ours. They come as suggestions as if whispered in our intellects which we can agree or reject them. Taking the passage of the Gospel, maybe the Virgins were alerted to go out to get more oil to wait for the groom, but then the temptation of laziness, pride, or presumptuousness came and suggested them not to come. It is important to learn the strategies of our enemy in order to be alert and counterattack them. This is another way for us to fight for the Kingdom of God. In Theology we say that the spiritual beings (angels and demons) are much more intelligent than us. It can be compared to the difference between an adult and a toddler. Then the enemy can easily deceive and distract us of what is important as children do. That is why we invited Fr. Carlos Martins next Monday (11/16) to explain to us better what the spiritual world is and how to fight. We do not need to fear these things. They can do nothing without our consent. Like a barking dog on a leash cannot bite us, so the spirits cannot hurt us unless we get close to the dog. Finally, I would like to say a word about our fellow brothers and sisters who have dedicated years of their lives and sacrificed much serving in the military. Our dear Veterans, whose day we observe on Wednesday, are an example of selfless action that we should imitate. Jesus says that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend (Jn 15:13). These countless men and women have sacrificed their lives. They set a great example to be followed. This is still part of what we need to do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, I invite you to say a Rosary on Wednesday praying for the Veterans in thanksgiving for their service, especially those who are struggling because of their time in the military. God Bless, Fr. Steven